This manual assists you in learning everything there is to know about the lithium lifecycle and what you should do to maximize the performance of your battery.
More so than ever before, rechargeable batteries are now available. You depend on its power for daily tasks and almost every gadget has one. Lithium technology underpins the majority of devices. How durable are lithium batteries?
A lithium battery typically lasts between two and three years. A good rule of thumb is to replace the battery when it can only store 70–80% of its initial amount of energy.
We address how long lithium batteries last, whether or not they expire, and how to maximize your investment in the sections below.
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How Long Do Lithium Batteries Last?
The battery will determine the response to this query. Lithium comes in a wide variety of chemistries, and pack designs can vary greatly.
For instance, a lithium polymer pouch cell using a cobalt aluminum oxide chemistry might only be able to discharge 100 times. However, under ideal circumstances, the cycle life of a premium cylindrical lithium iron phosphate cell may exceed 20,000 cycles.
Our Battle Born lithium batteries have a range of 3,000 to 5,000 usable discharge and recharge cycles under actual use. That doesn’t mean your battery will stop functioning if it has been discharged 5,000 times, though.
Simply put, it means that your battery won’t perform as well as it did when it was brand new. Lithium batteries typically maintain 75–80% of their original energy capacity as they get older.
In order to create the longest-lasting, safest battery pack possible, we use high-quality lithium cells that are matched together.
How Long Does a Lithium Battery Last in Storage?
Although they may be kept for months or even years, lithium batteries are made to maintain their capacity. In fact, according to the majority of manufacturers, a lithium battery has a shelf life of three to six years without any performance deterioration.
However, there are some guidelines you should follow when storing a lithium battery:
- Keep your lithium battery in a dry area with little humidity. If at all possible, keep the battery out of direct sunlight. The battery’s lifespan can be decreased by up to 50% even with indirect exposure to intense heat.
- Inside a lithium battery, moisture can lead to corrosion. To keep your battery dry, keep it enclosed in a plastic bag or container.
- You should charge up your lithium battery up to 40%-50% before storing
- A lithium battery should be tested for capacity periodically while being stored for an extended period of time, and if necessary, it should be recharged to 50%.
Do Lithium Batteries Expire If Not Used?
Although lithium batteries do not necessarily go bad, they do lose some of their energy when they are left idle. Our LiFePO4 batteries specifically experience a 2-3% monthly depletion when kept in the proper conditions.
If you leave the batteries sitting without a charge for a long enough period of time, you might return to completely dead batteries. Although it does take a while, if you’re storing your batteries for the winter, for example, this is usually not too long.
Factors That Affect the Lifespan of a Lithium Battery
Several factors can affect a lithium battery’s lifespan, including temperature, charging cycle, and charge and discharge practice.
Ambient Temperature
A lithium battery suffers from heat damage to several components, which can lead to dangerous events like an explosion or fire. Similar to the previous example, cold temperatures can cause the battery’s inner electrolyte to lose fluidity or completely freeze, resulting in decreased power output and ineffective recharging.
Internal resistance and self-discharge rates of batteries rise with ambient temperature, potentially shortening their useful life.
Charging Cycle
In a charge cycle, a device is used for a period of time during which it is fully charged, fully discharged, and then fully recharged. The lifespan of your lithium battery is also dependent on how quickly you complete the charge cycle.
A lithium battery is typically anticipated to have between 2,000 and 3,000 charge cycles before losing its initial capacity. The amount of time a battery can power a device decreases as its capacity is used up.
Your phone battery, for instance, will reach 2,000 charge cycles if you charge it every day for five years. An EV battery, on the other hand, has a higher power density level and a slower rate of capacity loss, so it can last a decade even if you don’t charge it every day.
Charge and Discharge Practice
A lithium battery’s lifespan may also be influenced by the level of charge being applied to it. Generally speaking, to preserve capacity and extend the life of a lithium battery, always recharge the battery before it runs out of power. Additionally, charge your battery halfway (40–50%) before storing it for an extended period.
Lithium batteries function better at 40%–50% DOD (depth of discharge), as opposed to other battery types that require recharge during storage. Before performing a deep charge, the battery should not be allowed to discharge completely.
How to Maximize Lithium Battery Life?
Here are some usage and charging practices to extend the efficiency and lifespan of your lithium battery:
Avoid Full Discharges
Keep a lithium battery between 20% and 80% charged to preserve its energy density and lifespan. You overstress the battery when you let it completely discharge. A battery’s storage capacity will decrease with frequent deep charges, reducing run time.
Charge Your Battery Properly
A lithium battery’s lifespan can be increased by charging it correctly. Always use a dedicated lithium battery charger. Never use a typical household AC adapter as lithium batteries require a different voltage than these devices.
Don’t Overcharge
It may be tempting to get your battery going as soon as possible, but fast charging can harm the battery and reduce its lifespan. Overcharging reduces the amount of power available to carry out tasks and causes the lithium battery to swell and become more fragile.
Always keep an eye on the amount of power your device uses, and avoid leaving the battery unattended for extended periods of time while charging, to avoid overcharging.
Store Your Battery Safely
Avoid exposing your lithium battery to moisture and high temperatures. A lithium battery exposed to intense heat can lose half of its capacity in just one month.
Monitor Your Battery’s Capacity
Depending on their size and type, lithium batteries age differently. The rate of cell decay increases with cell size. Check your battery’s capacity from time to time if you’re unsure whether it needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
How long do lithium batteries last, then? In conclusion, the majority of manufacturers only demand their batteries to last for three years or 2,000 charging cycles at the very least. Your lithium batteries will perform consistently for many years if you follow the additional advice in this manual.
FAQs
Do Lithium Batteries Last 10 Years?
Rechargeable lithium batteries, such as the 18650 battery, boast remarkable service life when stored at 3.7V—up to 10 years with nominal loss in capacity.
What Are the Disadvantages of Lithium Batteries?
Li-ion batteries are also subject to aging, meaning that they can lose capacity and frequently fail after a number of years. Their price, which is about 40% more expensive than Ni-Cd, is another factor preventing their widespread adoption. Current technological research places a high priority on addressing these problems.
